Today we sat outside soaking up the warmth of the sun while Marcel slept and we talked. You are a great conversationalist, always asking deep questions desperate to know more about all the things. The thoughts in your mind race and race and sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the emotions that come out at any given time. I love hearing the things that pop into your head and watching you sift through each thought trying to articulate exactly what it is you are trying to say. You are very intuitive and observant. Wise beyond your years. I have said that before, but it remains true to who you are. Back in May you gave up your nap, and although it took some time to get over my selfish need for alone time, I love having one on one time with you. I find it relaxing and refreshing in the way having coffee with a dear friend would be. You are great company, and I'm so thankful that no matter what you always choose me and never want to be too far from my side.
This afternoon's conversations were a relay story line of all the Bible stories we could think of. We touched on Moses, Issac, Joseph, Samson, and Goliath. You remember the smallest details and love to act out all the scenes that play through your mind as you try to think of what comes next. Your memory is incredible, and the capacity of information your mind holds is something that often amazes us. You are such a blessing to us my little love, and we are so full of joy over you. Our prayer is that through all of these stories that you love to hear over and over, you grow in wisdom of the importance in trusting our Lord and Savior and learn at a young age how to follow Him.
Also, not only are you full of wisdom and deep thoughts you are hilarious with a great sense of humor always finding the bright side of things. It is extremely refreshing and we are so grateful for it!
Oh my little love, how you adored being up on the big stage without a care in the world that there were hundreds of people watching your every move. Miss Chrissy did a great job preparing your little minds for the reality of the audience, the lights, the applause, and you all did such a great job when the big day finally arrived. In the days leading up to the recital, you would ask little questions with great enthusiasm such as, "Mom are you guys going to see me on stage and wave then clap really loud for me at my recital?" And when the questions were done you would explain in detail all that was going to happen as if Miss Chrissy herself were informing me. To say you were excited would be an extreme understatement.
Grandma and Grandpa came down for the weekend to celebrate with you, and as always you were spoiled with lots of love and extra treats! You love sleepovers and were so thrilled to have Grandma here to tuck you in at night. Sunday was a very full day, and by the end we were beat. We had church, lunch, recital, ice cream while strolling Naperville, and then a trip to the Taste of Wheaton for a few rides and games before calling it a day. You kept referring to it as "your weekend" and your weekend it was. Papa and I kept saying how in one weekend you got more than we ever did in all our childhood (half joking of course!). I'm pretty certain you got your share of spoiling for the entire summer, but it was well worth it and you were so very grateful and full of extra hugs and thanks in the days that followed.
Dance is something you really enjoy right now, and although I would have never imagined myself as a "dance mom" I love watching you find so much joy in something and take such pride in all the little moves you have learned. Also, who can resist the pure sweetness of a little girl in a tutu? Too much!
Yesterday marked FOUR weeks without your beloved "nookie". In it's absence, I have been both so proud of my little girl and her growing independence and also a bit sad at the loss of the tiny piece of my baby girl that was left. Since you were just a day old, we knew you were a girl that was determined and independent. You wanted milk immediately and when it wasn't coming fast enough you lost all sanity until we tricked you with a single drop of formula to give you the idea that it was coming before you even made a real effort. The lactation specialist kindly smiled at me after listening to my retelling of your behavior and said, "It sounds to me like you have a little girl that knows what she wants and when she wants it!" Those words have proved true time and time again over the last three years of your sweet life.
Keeping up with all the big kids on the block these days!
You don't like to be told how to do something, and even refuse guidance when learning something new. In moments of struggle, you will call for me to give encouragement and stand by your side, but you like to figure things out for yourself by watching and studying how something is done. The process of figuring things out is not always without some pretty explosive bursts of frustration (passed down to you from yours truly. sorry love!), but at the end of the day you try and try again and usually exceed our expectations with ease in no time at all. Papa and I are both big on encouraging you to try things out to learn what suits you and makes you happy, but we are definitely not into pushing you to do things you aren't comfortable with. The latter is definitely in our favor as you my dear would not allow it even if we tried to push. You are independent, but love having us close by which makes me so thankful because I sure love being by your side!
Holding your breath and looking at each other under the water!! You've encouraged some of the older kids to overcome their fears of putting their heads under the water :)
I asked Papa tonight what word would describe the way you have gone about tackling the big milestones in life so far and he responded immediately with: autonomous. The definition he was referring to was the capability of existing independently or responding, reacting, or developing independently. In all the big hurdles of toddlerhood, you have mastered them in your own time and without much guidance or assistance. You have always had a big capacity for logic and understanding which I believe helped in the "getting it" department when it came time for such things as walking, big girl bed transition, potty training, and the surrender of your beloved "nookie" all accomplished simply by you declaring it was time. We talk a LOT and explain things while answering your many, many questions, listening to your mind wrap around issues that come up while you process knew things. It's fascinating to see the little glimpses into your thoughts and fears and joys and struggles, then watching you finally come to a conclusion and just go for it with all you've got. You are fierce my little love.
On a ride all by yourself, making friends everywhere you go!
Even though the sting of your independence catches me off guard at times and my chest tightens when I hear the simple words, "Mom, can you give me some space please," or "Actually Mom I want to go on a ride that you don't have to come with me," I'm so extremely proud that I get to be the one with the front row seat watching you grow and mature and learn. You make me proud every day, and I feel beyond blessed to be entrusted with you as my little girl.
Zaylee girl, you have quite the imagination and your mind is always racing making it hard for your mouth to catch up to all your thoughts, causing you to stumble over words while bringing those thoughts to life through your animated expressions and energetic dialogue. You are becoming more of a little lady every day full of opinions, sass, and toddler wisdom that always reminds me to be better for you. You are a strict rule enforcer even if you often forget you also need to obey the rules. Shoes, purses, dresses and all things princess-y are still your top choices when it comes to what you wear, although you have (for the most part) given up the fight and allow me to pick out your clothes which I am thankful for. However, the shoes remain your domain and it is a battle I have chosen to let rest and embrace, because watching you pick out your favorite pair (that day) and put them on all by yourself is far greater than arguing about what matches or is more practical for a particular outing. The fight about what you wear may be in the past (for now), but the crazy sensory issues involved in the act of dressing are still alive and very much a struggle. You are particular in how things are to be done or how you do things and have specific routines that are not to be changed, most specifically the way you fidget with the deteriorating left ear on your beloved pink bunny.
Dancing is still something you very much enjoy. Your teacher Miss Chrissy is so wonderful with you and the other girls and has taught you so much about what it means to be part of a group listening to instructions and following along. You look forward to Tuesday mornings every single week and often live in your leotard ("later tard") and tutu prancing around all the live long day. Whenever we are anywhere with a group of people or have guests over at the house you very loudly announce to the crowd, "Excuse me guys. We have a show for you! Come, watch us!" Marcel loves to twirl around with you and you find it to be hilarious because he's a boy and boys don't do ballet! :) I love watching you with other kids, and am constantly praying over you the gift of friendship and what it means to be a good friend. When I fail at pointing you in the right direction, always remember your Papa is a wonderful friend and has taught me so very, very much!
(Videos from back in December!)
You are a born leader, always sharing your mind with any and all that will listen exclaiming, "hey guys! I have a really good idea ok? listen." You observe a situation thoroughly before joining in, but more times than not you will join regardless because you love to be apart of everything. Communication is your thing and you work so hard to be heard. Your mind is like a steel trap never forgetting anything and reminding us of all the things if ever we "forget". Emotions run high these days, causing us to both count to ten multiple times while taking a deep breath and shortly there after we are overflowing with laughter that comes from those same deep places within. You are hilarious. Expressive. Wise. Hardheaded. Fun. Capable. Particular. Cautious. Loving. Opinionated. Passionate. Fiery. Daring. Shy. Active. Determined. Full of life. You are you, and I am so extremely thankful that you are mine. I'm proud of the little girl you are becoming, and pray you will continue to have the same eagerness for life, being confident in who you are, all for His Glory!
A Few of our Favorite Zaylee Phrases and Stories:
"How many times I have to tell you??"
"Every morning...." A common phrase that doesn't ever make sense or have any meaning :)
"I hear that little stinker coming!" Referring to Marcel!
"Um can you do me a favor?"
"Wait a second! I'm trying to focus here. Give me privacy please!"
"It's really hard waiting for vacation! I want to go to 'merica now. Me: Zay, this IS America! Z: Mom! This is Wheaton 'member!?"
"Just one more story from your mouth." In reference to a made up story before bed rather than from a book :)
"Mom who bought your necklace? Me: Mamie Suzanne did. It's very special to me! Z: Um, did she go to the store to buy it? Me: Yeah I imagine she did, but.... Z: BUT MOM! She is so much old! Her would need her candle (cane) because it would be so hard for her!"
"Excuse me can I tell you something?"
"Mom, can you give me some space because I want to talk to her alone" (when you are trying to talk with a new "friend" and don't want me interrupting
Puppin show = puppet show
Groof hug = Group hug
Airpin = apron
Marcel is crying, Z: Well, Mom, you have to tell him funny jokes that will make him happy. I always do that and he laughs all the time!
After buying Papa his anniversary present on the way to the car, Z: "We need a wrapper thing like Santa does at nigh-night time so we don't see them. 'Member mom? Then it's a surprise for Papa! Would he like that mom? We need to do that like Santa!"
Helping me with bacon in the morning, Z: "That was good. I'm happy. What was your favorite part of making bacon, Mom?"
In response to me telling you that cats like to lie in the sun because it's nice and warm, Z: BUT MOM! They need sunscreen!"
On a morning that I was particularly edgy and a bit short fused you followed me into my room as I was putting clothes away, went over to the radio and turned on the music saying, "Mom, I'm just putting on the music so you can chill out a little bit." (attitude check for this mama!!!)
Christmas has always been a big deal to me. I love the memories that flood back when I listen to certain Christmas albums, smell certain smells, string lights around the tree, place precious ornaments evenly among the branches. It is such a special time with family and a time of year I look forward to always. It's magical and this year I experienced that in a new way through your beautiful blue eyes and the excitement in both your and Marcel's shrieks and gasps at all the beautiful lights that flood the lawns and storefronts. "CHRISTMAS! LOOK MOM!"
Watching Polar Express!
The month was full of wintery, Christmas fun and watching you take it all in was so special to me. We walked through Cosley Zoo to see the lights, drove around many neighborhoods checking out all the lights (and even stumbled upon one with music to go along with the flashing lights!!), headed to the Christmas Market for hot chocolate and delicious German food, enjoyed a beautifully done Christmas Eve service at Willow Creek, and enjoyed a lot of family time full of leisurely days just being together.
It was almost too much fun picking out the perfect gifts for the two of you and wrapping them up, each in their own specific paper to be placed under the tree on the night before Christmas Eve. I have always loved the anticipation of Christmas morning, and always woke up far too early to separate and distribute all the presents for my brother and sisters, waiting patiently until the rest of the family stumbled down the stairs. This time I had the anticipation of watching you discover each little thing stuffed inside your velvet stockings and slowly passing out the gifts and opening each one with great excitement and care. It was such a special morning.
The weeks leading up to Christmas day we explained thoroughly the greatest gift Christmas has to offer, the birth of our Savior. You would explain to anyone that would listen that it was Jesus' birthday, and each time it made me so proud. I was thankful you understood the truth of the season, and had fun watching you also get swept up in the fun of it. You would exclaim, "Santa is coming soon! Mom, is it in two hours? He's going to check his list and then sneak in. Is he coming now?" And with each present we would pick out and carefully wrap together you would say ever so sweetly, "Mom, I think they are really going to love it!" It is such a joyous time of the year, and as much as I have always loved Christmas, my love for it grew far more than I could have imagined this year with the two of you to share it with!
